Cochem

 It's been a bit on the warm side here.  It's still 'only' 31 but I feel like that's enough.  It can peak there thanks.   

Today I decided not to rush the morning, although I still got away at a good time it could have been earlier had I not had the second coffee.  I'm in a constant battle between rushing to beat the heat and not rushing so as not to be exhausted by said heat. 

The site was right on the route so after checking out (they have what I would describe as a stupid card system for the toilets and showers. I and my neighbours all forgot the cards at various points as campers often don't head to the facilities with their wallet and towel.  And I don't have pockets in my pyjamas.) I followed the path up a little then back to the river.   

I cycled along, I'd planned to stop for lunch again today but the first part of my route was a little short on restaurants. After consulting Google I found a little honesty cafe on an old wine cellar. The cake was good and the orange juice welcome. 

At this point in its journey, the river is a geography teachers dream.  It meanders though the gorge creating keyhole loops that double back on each other. All this loop the looping has made the day long. There is a train that goes through the rocks that cause the meander, it takes 4 minutes. It took me 25km. So a bit longer. 

Those loops on the map don't match those loops in reality, you think you're almost there but they go on and on and on. And on. You can always see the corner but you never quite reach it. 

I must have done eventually though because I looped a loop and found blessed shade. I stopped again, to eat, to drink and basically to have a bit of a nap on a park bench. 

I repeated that pattern a couple of times until at last the pretty town of Cochem came into view. I cycled right the way though and straight onto the campsite where after a very technical on line checkin - I found myself a shady pitch and settled down for the afternoon.